U.S. Title: Henry's Special Coal
Air date: December 4th, 1984
Adapted from: Henry the Green Engine, "Coal"
One morning, Henry wakes up feeling very ill. He complains about it to James, who simply shrugs it off as Henry being lazy. The Fat Controller is also unhappy about this, given this is the latest in a long line of problems with Henry and not even new parts or paint seem to help.
Later, as Henry prepares to take his first train, the Fat Controller, determined to get to the bottom of Henry's problems, decides to ride along in the cab, having changed out of his usual suit into a crewman's uniform. Henry manages to start but the fireman isn't pleased and notes that Henry's fire doesn't give enough heat. As a result, Henry quickly loses steam and has to rest when he reaches Edward's station. Henry's crew and the Fat Controller continue to discuss what the problem is. They then discover the root of the problem; the coal provided is unsuitable for him. The railway's stuck on a lousy batch at the moment, and while the other engines can cope because they have nice big fireboxes, Henry's firebox is too small. But if Henry had Welsh coal, he would easily improve. Even though it'll be expensive the Fat Controller agrees to buy Welsh coal as Henry must have a fair chance.
When the coal arrives, the fireman carefully stokes up Henry's fire to give the best possible results. Henry has his doubts but his mood changes as he comes into the platform. The Fat Controller is happy to see that Henry is feeling well and warns the driver not to push him. The driver assures him not to worry, in fact, he will have to hold him back.
For the first time, Henry makes it to the junction before Thomas. When Thomas arrives, Henry calls him "lazybones" before quickly running off. Thomas, too surprised to be cross reacts with disbelief, and Annie and Clarabel concur to him.
Tropes featured in the episode (YMMV here):
- The Alleged Train: Henry himself starts out as this, having a small firebox that renders him unable to function properly without a special type of coal. This problem will be remedied in the next episode.
- Bowdlerise: In the UK narration, the Fat Controller informs Henry that he's too expensive. Both US narrations have the Fat Controller asking Henry what's wrong with him.
- Determinator: As the narrator notes, Henry tried very hard with his train during his test run but couldn't get enough steam, leading him to stop just outside Edward's station.
- Digital Destruction: The restored version uses an outtake shot when Henry backs into the siding at Wellsworth. He shifts too fast in, and suddenly jolts off, while Edward remains motionless despite the original shot's sound effects of him steaming forward.
- Does This Remind You of Anything?: Henry's small firebox rendering him unable to properly function without Welsh coal. Replace "small firebox" with "asthma" and "Welsh coal" with "an inhaler", and you'll understand what Henry has to go through.
- Downer Beginning: The episode starts with Henry saddened of his condition although James was unsympathetic of this, and then the Fat Controller informing him that he will need to replace Henry if they can't find anything to make him better.
- Earn Your Happy Ending: Henry suffers with his illness until it was discovered that it's the coal and his small firebox causing it. After receiving Welsh coal, he is now a well and happy engine.
- Ironic Echo: After Henry came to the station right before Thomas did, he calls him "lazybones" which is the same thing Thomas called him in "Thomas and the Guard".
- No Sympathy: Happens again to an ill Henry, this time he gets berated by James for not working hard enough. His crewmen on the other hand feel deeply for his situation, and while the Fat Controller notes he will need to take pragmatic action if it continues, he too wants to fix Henry's problem.
- Reasonable Authority Figure: While the Fat Controller makes clear that they will need to resort to a replacement engine if they cannot improve Henry's performance, he takes it upon himself to inspect Henry with his driver and fireman, and resorts to using an expensive Welsh coal when told it can fix the problem, noting Henry deserves a fair chance.
- Stock Footage: Footage from "Edward, Gordon and Henry" and "Troublesome Trucks" and a deleted scene from "The Flying Kipper" are used.
